Dacia UK launch could be back on

Dacia could be launched in the UK “within months” if the government gives the green light to a pay-to-scrap scheme.

Renault bosses, who cancelled the UK launch of their budget brand’s Dacia Sandero hatchback last summer, are keeping a close eye on the British government’s moves towards adopting a similar scheme to the one that is being credited with driving new car sales in Germany.

This could involve drivers getting up to £2000 off the price of a new car if they trade in a car over nine years old.

Dacia has seen sales rocket in Germany from under 100 per week to over 1000 as drivers of older cars rush to take advantage of a €2500 (£2350) discount on the €7500 (£7050) Logan. Total new car sales in Germany rose by 21 per cent in February.

Launching the Sandero in the UK would be relatively straightforward, because the right-hand-drive engineering has been completed. Renault bosses also regard the introduction of a British scrappage scheme as a unique opportunity to establish the Dacia brand in the UK.